Antipsychotic drugs greatly increase risk of all-cause mortality in all users.

What is it about?

Meta-analyses of 20 different studies undertaken worldwide encompassing data of several hundred thousand patients shows that use of the antipsychotic drugs greatly increases risk of death from strokes or cardiac arrest. The analysis confirms that control subjects (without cognitive impairment) prescribed the antipsychotic drugs can show even greater risks for severe adverse events leading to increased all-cause mortality. Hence, the frequently reported increased mortality from antipsychotic drugs in dementia is not restricted only to those with impaired cognition and neither is it restricted to only one class or type of antipsychotic drug.

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Why is it important?

This data is of major concern and would indicate a need for more thorough studies to be carried out on the negative impacts and general safety of antipsychotics prescribed for the general patient population in mental health care.

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